GeriMed is a for-profit corporation organized to provide group purchasing services and programs to long term care pharmacies throughout the United States.

GeriMed members consist of long term care facilities with on-site pharmacies and "closed-door" institutional pharmacies servicing only institutionalized and home care patients. An own use statement must be signed by an officer of the company prior to joining GeriMed. As defined in the membership agreement, "own use" pertains directly to whom the pharmacy may dispense pharmaceuticals. Several companies including Baxter, Ross, Pfizer, Knoll, Schering, etc. have separate applications and/or "own use" statements that must be completed before access to the contracts is allowed.

Retail drug stores, wholesalers, and mail order pharmacies are not eligible for GeriMed, even though they may service long term care facilities. Eligibility is restricted because of the federal regulations requiring that all items purchased at special contract pricing be used directly for inpatients in facilities serviced. Items purchased on contract may not be sold to other entities (i.e. wholesalers, distributors, retail pharmacies, clinics, physician offices, etc).

If a retail pharmacy is located in the same building, under the same roof as your institutional pharmacy, there may be no connecting doors, windows, or common passageways between them. New members must provide GeriMed with copies of separate DEA numbers and pharmacy licenses if they own retail operations. The pharmacy must also establish a separate wholesaler account for the long term care pharmacy. Deliveries must be made directly to the institutional pharmacy. The pharmacies shall have different addresses and separate outside entrances. All pharmacies are inspected prior to final acceptance to ascertain adherence to these criteria.

PLEASE NOTE: Manufacturers reserve the right to refuse eligibility of individual members. If you are servicing assisted living residents, you may be restricted from some pricing as determined by individual manufacturers. Infusion pharmacies are not eligible for Schering or Searle pricing. Pharmacies servicing Assisted Living beds will not be eligible for Novo Nordisk or Merck.

New members are added to the GeriMed program on the first day of the month thirty days after written notice of membership is sent to the manufacturers and suppliers. Such notice will not be distributed until the appropriate agreements and certifications have been executed. An on-site visit by a GeriMed staff member will be the final step before membership is approved.